Internal Problem: The Emotional Struggle
Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2025 9:08 am
External Problem: The Visible Obstacle
The external problem is what most businesses focus on. It‘s the tangible, visible issue that your customer is facing. For example, if you’re selling lawn care, the external problem might be a weed-filled lawn. It's easy to identify and straightforward to address. Most marketers get this right.
However, if you stop here, you're missing out on the real power of storytelling. This is where many companies fall short, failing to connect with their audience on a deeper level.
Customers are often more motivated to buy solutions to their internal problems than their external ones. For instance, a homeowner with a weed-filled lawn (External Problem) is not going to hire someone to care for their lawn unless they feel frustrated and embarrassed (Internal Problem).
The Internal Problem is where the real story begins to france whatsapp number database take shape. It's what drives the character (or in our case, the customer) to seek a solution. By addressing this level, you show your audience that you truly understand their struggles and make your marketing more interesting.
Philosophical Problem: The Big “Why”
The third and deepest level of problem is philosophical. This is the big picture, the reason why the problem matters in the grand scheme of things. It's often framed as a question of right and wrong or fairness.
In our lawn care example, the philosophical problem might be, “People should spend more time enjoying their lawn than working on it.” This level adds weight and significance to the customer's problem, making your product or service feel more important and impactful.
Implementing the Three-Level Problem In Your Marketing
Now, let's look at how to implement all three levels of problem in your marketing.
The external problem is what most businesses focus on. It‘s the tangible, visible issue that your customer is facing. For example, if you’re selling lawn care, the external problem might be a weed-filled lawn. It's easy to identify and straightforward to address. Most marketers get this right.
However, if you stop here, you're missing out on the real power of storytelling. This is where many companies fall short, failing to connect with their audience on a deeper level.
Customers are often more motivated to buy solutions to their internal problems than their external ones. For instance, a homeowner with a weed-filled lawn (External Problem) is not going to hire someone to care for their lawn unless they feel frustrated and embarrassed (Internal Problem).
The Internal Problem is where the real story begins to france whatsapp number database take shape. It's what drives the character (or in our case, the customer) to seek a solution. By addressing this level, you show your audience that you truly understand their struggles and make your marketing more interesting.
Philosophical Problem: The Big “Why”
The third and deepest level of problem is philosophical. This is the big picture, the reason why the problem matters in the grand scheme of things. It's often framed as a question of right and wrong or fairness.
In our lawn care example, the philosophical problem might be, “People should spend more time enjoying their lawn than working on it.” This level adds weight and significance to the customer's problem, making your product or service feel more important and impactful.
Implementing the Three-Level Problem In Your Marketing
Now, let's look at how to implement all three levels of problem in your marketing.